IDC expects portable PC sales to be overaken by tablets this year, as tablets grow 58.7 percent to 229.3 million units from 144.5 million units in 2012. Tablet shipments are projected to be higher than the entire PC market (portables and desktops) by 2015.

Global PC shipments are forecast to fall by 7.8 percent this year and by 1.2 percent in 2014 as users increasingly consider alternatives such as tablets and smartphones. The market researcher previously anticipated a decline of 1.3 percent this year, followed by a gradual increase. The update reflects a significant volume drop in the first quarter and transitions in PC designs, with vendors releasing products for Windows 8, including thin, convertible, touch and slate models.

Worldwide desktop PCs are now projected to fall to 134.4 million units this year from 148.3 million in 2012 and to drop to USD 123.9 million units in 2017. Portable PC sales are forecast to decrease to 187.4 million units this year from 200.9 million units in 2012, and to rise to 209.5 million units in 2017.

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